Vogue
Issue 011
‘Fashion should be a form of escapism and not a form of imprisonment.’ ~ Alexander McQueen
Editorial
Fashion is a form of expression as articulate as a poem or an equation. It can be a way of life, a profession. It’s an art form and a glimpse into someone’s personality. It’s full of seriousness and playfulness; it’s a thing of distraction, entertainment, exhibition.
It played a significant role in our transformation and development as human beings; the clothes really do maketh the man. Fashion unites us as we express who we are individually and socially, how we feel, how we wish to communicate. We can share our values and our tastes, thoughts and ideas, how we work and how we play - all in our choice of garments. We can externalise our personalities and say multitudes without opening our mouths.
It has its problems, by all means. Fast fashion is a plague on our planet as trends change so quickly we struggle to keep up. Most of our clothing is made in countries in which workers’ rights are limited or even non-existent. Diversity is a marketing ploy for the runways around the world.
But at the same time, fashion illustrates culture and captures the zeitgeist in the most dynamic of ways. Understanding its influences, messages and history opens up a world of insight to, well, our world.
Don’t judge a book by its cover: let’s look at who decides what we wear, how feminism and fashion intersect, how much influence an influencer really wields, and how Black women are embracing their natural hair.
To our contributors, thank you. To our readers, enjoy. ■
JADE STERLING
Features
Deciding what to wear
You may take your outfit inspiration from a carefully curated Pinterest board of the hottest trends or the glossy spreads in the latest Vogue, but your choices would be between two and five years out of date.
fashion and feminism
The relationship between feminism and fashion is a tumultuous one.
the influencer influence
Social media has taken over fashion and influencers now hold as much—if not more—sway as the sartorial elite.
Special Feature
Are afros the new vogue?
By Helen Debrah-Ampofo
For decades, Afro hair has been political rather than fashionable. It's been controversial rather than 'on trend.' But lately, all over the globe, women have been embracing their natural hair - and beauty - unapologetically.
Want to write for us?
If you’ve got a story, we want to hear it!
A full frontal assault on bras
Check out these melons.
In defence of miranda priestly
She’s cold, imperious and better than you. But for all its basic adherence to tropes of a bitchy boss, Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly is one of the most nuanced female characters to ever grace the silver screen.
Welcome to januhairy
As men have Movember to spend the penultimate month of the year growing a glorious moustache or full beard, women now have Januhairy.
long live the trainer trend
By Gemma Mills
The trainer game is at its all-time highest, and the percentage of women in the UK who bought trainers has overtaken the percentage of women in the UK who bought heels
In defence of your makeup routine
Painting women as blind narcissists instead of self-aware pragmatists is just plain dumb. From the simple desire to look their best to playing the lifelong game all women are signed up to from birth, makeup is a tool. Women wear makeup for themselves.
coming soon
Issue 012 - Resilience
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